Barriers and perspectives of collaboration between the EU and NATO

In 2008 the world economy fell into the worst economic crisis since the 1930s, which forced most of the European countries to extensive cuts inter alia on the defence spending. In spite of insufficient capacities and capabilities, Europe must deal with new security threats and challenges (e.g. terrorism, organised crime, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, cyberthreats). Therefore, a possible solution provides close collaboration between the EU and NATO in the field of collective defence and security. The main reason represent 21 European countries, which are members of both organizations. Hence, this bachelor's thesis focuses on identification of barriers and prospective perspectives to improve this relation. Its structure composes of three main parts. The first part analyses strategic documents and aims of both organizations, preconditions for collaboration set down in the Berlin Plus agreements and reactions to the economic crises. The second chapter compares missions of both organizations and duplications in the field of practical collaboration. The last chapter is devoted to the conflict between Turkey, Cyprus and Greece together with other political and institutional barriers including their possible solutions, which might streamline the collaboration.